Barry Cofield, the former New York Giants defensive tackle and current Washington Redskins starting nose tackle, is -- as you might expect -- pumped up for Sunday's season opener between the Giants and Redskins.

"It’s (playing against the Giants) going to be a pleasure," Cofield told Redskins.com. "It’s going to be exciting. It’s the reason you play the game. To go out and play well in that scenario against my old team and the significance of it being on Sept. 11, it would give me a great feeling. ...

"It’s great that the Giants are Week 1," he said. "It’s my first time in a real game in front of the fans in Washington. I’m going to be going off of adrenaline, and hopefully after the first play or so I can settle down."

The Redskins, of course, gave Cofield far more money than the Giants were willing to offer him. He wanted a big payday and Washington gave it to him -- a six-year, $36 million contract – with $12.5 guaranteed.

From what I can gather, Cofield has adapted surprisingly well to playing the nose in Washington's 3-4. At 306 pounds, I admit to being skeptical about whether or not Cofield was physical enough to handle that spot.

I have to believe Cofield will play well against the Giants on Sunday -- a good first matchup for new Giants center David Baas. In the end, though, I believe the Giants will be proven right in not giving Cofield a huge contract. He's a good player, not a great one.

Linval Joseph played well in preseason and should develop into a run-stuffing force. Veteran Rocky Bernard also had an excellent preseason. The fact that second-round pick Marvin Austin is out for the year hurts, but in the long run letting Cofield go elsewhere for his payday was the right move.